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any mechanics in the house?? please can you help me out??

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Old 06-10-2009, 03:01 PM
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Default any mechanics in the house?? please can you help me out??

iam having a small problem with my alero, its a 03 alero with the 2.2 ecotec, and iam constantly throwing p0420 code, now keep in mind the car sat for 3 yrs, when i finished the car i tuned it up, let it run out of gas in the garage, filled it up with fresh gas, and its been fine up to 2 weeks ago

my mechanic told me it could be a vacum leak and or stuck injector, now iam leaving for lansing michigan next thursday morning, so i kinda need this fixed before i leave

iam unemployed dont have allot of money but i can do work for you iam a body fender tech, so you fix my car i can fix something on your car kinda deal???
my mechanic is raping me with prices what a dick! so anyone??
thanks
Old 06-10-2009, 04:05 PM
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P0420 is a code for the catalitc converter.

The computer/ O2 sensor is reading below the stock efficency level. Could be a couple of things. Bad cat or bad O2 sensor possibly an exhaust leak.

Where in Chicago are you located?

~Jim~
Old 06-10-2009, 04:55 PM
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check the rear 02 for leaks or leaks anywhere. than if that doesnt fix it, your probably looking at buying a convertor
Old 06-10-2009, 08:11 PM
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iam in cicero, after driving on the highway the cat is not cherry red i dont smell sulfur, i dont have a vacum leak, if its just a rear 02 sensor i can do that no one else on here can take a look at my car??
Old 06-10-2009, 09:41 PM
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its not a vacuum leak. its not an 02 sensor. 02 sensors on ur car will throw codes...

p0131-p0141

and..

i think p1133 and p1134

ur cat ain't performin right.
Old 06-10-2009, 10:16 PM
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i had the same code....its the cat
Old 06-10-2009, 11:54 PM
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according to diagnostic procedures, check for the leaks, if none found than proceed with replacing cats
Old 06-11-2009, 02:00 PM
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****!!!!!!
well there is no way i can afford replacing the cat right now no ****** way, if i replace the rear 02 sensor, am i A. wasting my money B. going to ****** my car up driving 3 hours if i dont replace the cat
Old 06-11-2009, 02:43 PM
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you can drive it for quite some time with a bad cat. why replace the o2's if they are not the problem?
Old 06-11-2009, 09:17 PM
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from other research people are saying it is the 02 sensor, so i dunno what to do, if it is the cat then i have no choice but to drive it,
Old 06-11-2009, 11:08 PM
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you can drive it with bad o2's also
Old 06-11-2009, 11:24 PM
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It isn't an HO2S. You need a cat, but if it isn't hindering the performance of the car, you can drive it all you want. My truck has been setting the same dtc for 2 years now.
Old 06-12-2009, 02:29 AM
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just cut a hole in front of the cat...


then no worries :-)
Old 06-12-2009, 08:53 AM
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lol oh god lol
no car has a header on it into 2.5 pipe into a glass pack, its real loud, and no performance loss at all, so the guy above you is a gm tech would it hurt my car if i drove it like it is 3 hours?? or what if i did this iam sure the gm tech would laugh
replced the 02 sensors
dropped in a bottle of lucas fuel injector cleaner
replce the starter
i filled up with 93 octance fresh gas
fix my tire, and i should be good to go sound cool?
Old 06-12-2009, 09:59 AM
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^ are you on drugs?
Old 06-12-2009, 12:25 PM
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wut makes me on drugs?? i asked a question i guess not huh
Old 06-13-2009, 10:10 AM
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id take the cat off and break the **** inside of it out if its a personal vehicle. you will have cel on but, its better than it getting completely clogged and leaving you stranded
Old 06-14-2009, 10:32 PM
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Originally Posted by 94 s dime
id take the cat off and break the **** inside of it out if its a personal vehicle. you will have cel on but, its better than it getting completely clogged and leaving you stranded
word!!!lol thats what i would do(actually did do)
Old 06-15-2009, 07:16 AM
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thank you for helping i do appreciate it
but like i said my funds are very very tight, my exhuast on the car is custom made from the header back, 2. my exhaust guy wouldnt do that he would put on a new cat for 200 bucks, and when your unemployed and a single dad, funds are very limited right now

and no iam not on drugs, i asked a simple question, did you not read my oringinal post?? iam UNEMPLOYED!!! A SINGLE DAD!! RASING A CHILD BY MY SELF, NO ONE TO HELP ME, NO INCOME COMING IN RIGHT NOW!!! so for me thats a cheaper route right now, doesnt make me on drugs doesnt make me a dumb ***, iam a body fender man, not completetly stupid

i do appreciate the help guys i know its not some big *** v8 or a f-body or a vette, but its mine and its paid for, just wondering if what i posted before i was told i was on drugs, if it would be cool??
Old 06-15-2009, 06:52 PM
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if it is a cat efficency code it is the cat and any car under 8 years old or 80,000 miles the converter is under factory warranty. this is an epa law. call any chevy dealer they will confirm. they will tell you that there is a diag. fee and if they find its a bad cat which they will its really the only thing it can be they will wave the fee and replace the cat free of charge. i worked at a midas for 6 years and this was a common issue with alot of cars. Just make sure code description is cat efficency and call the dealer. let me know how it goes.



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